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FG woos Chinese investors on agric, infrastructure development

By on September 30, 2015

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has called on Chinese investors to take advantage of the investment opportunities in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, stating the ministry’s readiness to partner the Chinese government.

Permanent Secretary FMARD, Sonny Echono, disclosed this while receiving the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency,  Gu Xiaojie in Abuja.

Echono commended the Chinese Government for its support to Nigeria in the past, saying that the development model of China, is best suited for Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda to commercial agriculture.
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He also identified infrastructural development as another area for investment, maintaining that Nigeria is working hard towards increasing its production capacity, hence the need to develop the Staple Crops Processing Zones (SCPZs).

The Permanent Secretary explained that Nigeria is working to improve the nation’s milling capacity in rice and cassava in order to reduce the current demand and supply constraints of the commodity.

Echono stated that Nigeria needs support in the establishment of ranches, poultry and textile industry, calling on Chinese investors to make serious investment in the sectors.

He disclosed that partnership discussion was ongoing with some research institutions in China in the area of technology, noting that China has a huge market in cassava chips, and also calling on the need to support Nigeria’s cassava production since Nigeria is the world largest producer of cassava.

According to him, other opportunities for investment include aqua-culture, fishery and wheat production to meet the demands of the local millers.

He also requested for the support in capacity building, egg powder production and transfer of technology, stressing the need to manufacture simple technological tools that are reliable to make farming more attractive.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Gu Xiaojie expressed the readiness of the Chinese government to work closely with the government of Nigeria to explore areas of cooperation since both have big population and markets.

The Ambassador suggested the creation of platforms for commercial farmers and technological companies to meet the areas of need, while also pledging the Chinese government’s readiness to cooperate with Nigeria in the area of technology, economy and anti-corruption.

 

[ThisDay]